Sacramento daily record-union., 1887-08-06

Charges Against Ex-Consul Mathews of
OHicial DereHction.
ICopyigis, 1857. BY ae California Associated Press
New York, August 5th.-[Special. THE
Times prints a column editorial headed
Our Flag in Morocco" and therein at
tacks Colonel Felix 4. Mathews, of Cali
fornia, ex-Consul of the United States at
Tangier. A communication is also printed
which was written by Consul Lewis, sue
cessor TO Mathews, and in this Lewis gives
extracts from the State Department in
structions to Mathews. The matter refers
to the imprisonment OF native Moors for
debt upon the complaints of persons enjoy
ing the protection of the American flag
IN the State Department communication
Mathews was instructed as follows
By the union of firmness and modera.
ton persons and interests of American
citizens and their proteges can be ade-
quately protected without resorting to or
giving occasion for harsh measures that
are characteristic of Moorish judicial preju-
dices, which are abhorrent to the sentiment
OF Christian nations. The blind injustice
and inhuman cruelty with which debtors
are treated in Moorish Courts is one of the
crying evils OF the day, and, while you are
encouraged and enjoined to shield our citi-
zens and proteges from the dungeon and
the lash, you are also instructed in the in
terest OF humanity and civilization not to
adopt or countenance any method of COL
| lee.ing debts due them by which the debtor
will be imprisoned or subjected to any
| manner of capital punishment"
The Tines also prints the following letter
| from the Governor of Larache to Lewis:
In reference to the accuracy OF the
charges concerning this class of imprison-
rn,Q nd fb,i MI r1o,,
of all those who are imprisoned in this
| district on account of American claims.
| You also command me not to accent
| against an American protege any American
| claims. You also command me not to ac.
| cept as an American protege anyone unless
| have been duly notified by you that he is
| such. You have also told me that hence.
forth no man shall be fiogged or impris-
| oned for debt to an American citizen or
| protege, but be treated according TO the law
| of the land. | have understood all this. /
| have released everyone in prison on &C.
| count Of American debts, as you told me.
All Mohamnedan people are rejoicing and
| thanking you, and asking God to give You
good recompense for releasing the poor,
| miserable captiyes."
The Times says that Lewis offers
to prove that these prisoners not
| only We're not myths, but that
Mathews was repeatedly urged to release
them. To the date of his departure from
| Office there was never day when he might
not have released them. They could not
| have been imprisoned against his wishes
and the order forbidding him to tocountenance
Imprisonment for debt, which we have
quoted, was left for his predecessor to ex.
ecute. But, while more than thirty have
been released, Lewis does not know how
many are yet to be freed. 1t is indeed q
sad condition of affairs. as he says, to
know that there are men imprisoned whom
| | cannot release, because know nothing OF
them, save that America is responsible fol
| their misery" 'On the whole" saws the
| Times, we think it will be admitted that
| the people of the United States have nc
cause to regret the removal of Colonel
Mathews, and the appointment OF Mr.
Lewis"